Grammar Basics - some and any

ScottsEnglish

When do we use some and any?

Students often confuse some and any.  For example, "There is not some butter on the table", or "I want any bread, please". 

In general, some is used in a positive sentence. "I would like some bread", or "He has some money to spend on clothes today";

while any is used for questions and negative sentences. "Do you have any flowers in your garden?", or, "There isn't any butter on the table.

However, there are contexts when we use some in a question, such as, "Would you like some beer?" and "Is it okay if I eat some cheese?"

Expressions such as "I don't have" are followed by any though, and never some.

Choose the correct word for the following sentences:

1. Does she have ____________ meetings next week?
2. I have ______________ change, maybe I'll buy a pretzel.
3. But I don't have ____________ credit cards.
4. Are there _____________ doctors attending the conference?
5. I like _______________ types of music, but not all.

Click here for the correct answers.

1. Does she have any meetings next week?
2. I have some change, maybe I'll buy a pretzel.
3. But I don't have any credit cards.
4. Are there any doctors attending the conference?
5. I like some types of music, but not all.